NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry look like Pro Bowl players on a Titans' defense that's been a revelation a year after it managed just 19 sacks and yielded over a 50 percent conversion rate on third down.

But if they make the team it will because someone drops out or makes the Super Bowl.

Kevin Byard is the Titans' long Pro Bowler on the initial AFC Team.

Pool photo/ Donald Page, Tennessee Titans

And that's the one that should carry the real weight, frankly, as the roster has gotten increasingly watered down because guys withdraw dues to injuries or as they don't care to play, or because are part of the team when their franchise goes to the Super Bowl.

That doesn't mean Simmons and Landry have not had great seasons, but it does mean ballotting by fans, coaches and players -- which each counts a third -- deemed others worthy ahead of them. [Unlocked]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A defensive theme that’s emerged for the Titans this year winds up being too much to ask when the offense plays poorly.

I understand and appreciate high aspirations.

But the call for the Titans to outplay the other team’s defense is a little much if outplaying the other team’s defense requires forcing five takeaways, no?

Courtesy Tennessee Titans 

To have outplayed the Steelers they would have needed five takeaways, and the last time the franchise had five was Dec. 17, 2012. They would have needed the same to have outplayed the Texans in Week 11.

And they would have needed six to top New England in Week 12, something they haven’t done since 2007. [Unlocked]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Defenses are still loading the box, and the Titans are still running with success.

The team absolutely misses Derrick Henry. His playing style, home run hitting, ability to dominate a game and leadership are obviously integral to their offense.

Pool photo/ Mark Humphrey, AP

But in six games without him, they’ve pieced together a run game that averages 135 yards a game, just 13 fewer than they were getting with Henry in the backfield.

It’s the absence of A.J. Brown that’s been a bigger hit to the Titans.

BY BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Steelers' defense and the Titans' defense were the strengths for each of their teams and each putting up a winning effort.

Unfortunately for the Titans, their four turnovers were their undoing after having what looked like a commanding 13-3 lead at halftime and a time of possession that ended almost doubling up Pittsburgh.

The Titans had the ball 39:08 to the Steelers 20:52.

© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Titans had 22 first downs to the Steelers 12

The Titans had 318 total yards on offense to the Steelers 168.

The Titans had five fumbles and lost three to go with one interception and there was another pass that should have been caught by Steeler linebacker Devin Bush. That mistake resulted in a touchdown drive for Tennessee.

Turnovers and lack of protection for Ryan Tannehill is a problem that isn’t getting fixed.

PITTSBURGH – For the third time in four games the Titans did their best to be the league’s top philanthropic team.

They gave the ball to the Texans four times on Nov. 21 and handed it to the Patriots five times on Nov. 28.

© Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, they presented it to the Steelers four times, washing away a great number of other statistical advantages and the No. 1 AFC seed they could have held with a win. They slinked out of town with a 19-13 loss that dropped them to 9-5 and closed their lead on the Colts to one game in the standing plus a head-to-head tie-breaker.

They host the 49ers Thursday night, and if they can’t get ball security down as they did in their one recent reprieve against the Jaguars when they had four takeaways and no giveaways, they will continue to struggle.

PITTSBURGH -- Oh what fun we had unraveling that beautiful 19-13 Titans' loss, another game they simply handed away.

The conversation from the Heinz Field press box covered the turnovers, the lack of offense, the defensive response, the narrowed lead in the AFC South, the quick turnaround to Thursday's game against the 49ers and everything else that was top of mind.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans need to continue the winning trend against the Pittsburgh Steelers who are fighting for their playoffs hopes.

The Steelers are only two games back in the win column from the lead in the AFC North. With a loss, they will be done.

The Steelers are a talented but flawed team.

Dontrell Hilliard/ pool photo, Donald Page, Tennessee Titans

The flaws start with a former strength in veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

I mentioned last season that Ben Roethlisberger was done, and the Steelers should be looking for his replacement because former second-round pick Mason Rudolph is not the answer moving forward.

Roethlisberger is a statue in the pocket and must utilize a short passing game to be effective because of several factors.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans run block well and pass protect poorly. And while it’s a full offense thing, the spine of it is certainly the offensive line.

Pool photo/ Donald Page, Tennessee Titans

The ability to sustain the run-blocking effort without the starting line intact for five of the team’s 13 games is impressive. The inability to reliably keep Ryan Tannehill on his feet and allow him some chances to let plays develop is unimpressive.

As with virtually every big question attached to the Titans, injuries are at the heart of it.